It took me a while to write this, been a busy few days.I wanted to explore some character emotions in this chapter to flesh some things out before going ahead with the next episode. You could say this is a filler chapter.

I am heading to Cardiff this Monday for my birthday on Tuesday so i can go to the Doctor Who Experience and find the locations of where they're currently filming the show if i'm lucky haha.

Lady Deebo - the 66 seconds is part of the mummy episode starting next chapter.

Yellowroseofthenw - I wasn't planning on this being a doctor/oc romance, there are many girl in the whoniverse ones that are. And I don't know how people would react to it if it was. As for a doctor/clara romance? I just see their friendship for what it is. I love their complex relationship. It's obvious Clara did have feelings for the Doctor, Jenna Coleman admitted Clara was in love with eleven when he regenerated and i think that's why it was hard for Clara to immediately cope with an older face. Then Steven Moffat turned around and stated in an interview or something that the twelfth Doctor in series 8 fancied Clara. So there is a lot to factor in here. But it really doesn't matter to me if you see them as just friends or more its your choice but we can all agree there was a lot left unsaid between the characters. They don't say things to one another as Clara pointed out in Hell Bent.

Anyway Thanks for the reviews, follows and favs.

Chapter 15 What do you say, one last Hurrah?

It had been eight weeks. Otherwise known as two months. Two months since she last seen the Doctor after storming out of the TARDIS.

Clara had practically went running towards her bedroom when she heard the sound of the TARDIS materializing. At first she didn't recognize the sound, then it got louder and it suddenly hit her. He was back even though she told him to get lost. She didn't know if she should be happy or annoyed that he was back against her wishes. Or whether she should be annoyed at herself for feeling relieved at the thought of seeing him again after what he did. Then there was Lauren, she did miss her so she counted some of that relief and joy to seeing her again also.

Clara made it to her door where the noise was coming from, throwing it open to find he parked the TARDIS again within the tight confinements of her room this time between the bed and the window, blocking out the morning sunlight. Typical. Well, at least he didn't park in front of the door like last time otherwise she would have struggled to have even gotten in to her own bedroom so she could count it as an improvement.

It was a Saturday morning, she hadn't planned anything today, Danny having cancelled the previous plan due to something about family, so Clara wasn't expecting visitors. She wore comfortable jeans and a red and black checked shirt today, hair tied back in a ponytail she was hoping to do overdue marking in peace. She wanted a lazy day to herself, but the Doctor once again arrived unannounced. Well, she didn't like being lazy anyway and she seemed to be having more of those days for two months, but that didn't mean she wasn't annoyed by the Doctor's presence.

She leaned against the door with her arms crossed watching as the Time Lord stuck his head out the door cautiously, surveying the area before his eyes landed on her. He stepped out of the box looking like a startled animal that could run back inside at any sudden movements. He said her name then stuttered uncertainly before hastily saying 'sorry' then a 'hi' after realizing conversations normally start with a greeting rather than a sorry.

"Right words wrong order," Clara said steadily looking him up and down. "Gonna have to try better than that if that's how you say sorry," she remarked dryly but with a hint of seriousness, not moving from her standing point.

"Sorry – I mean, uh, Ok," the Doctor corrected himself.

The door creaked and Lauren finally stepped out beside the Doctor.

"Wow you look wrecked. You weren't that pale before," Clara said to Lauren looking slightly alarmed.

"Hello to you too Clara," Lauren said sarcastically in good humour. "Wasn't feeling too well," she added.

"Oh, sorry to hear that." Clara said sincerely.

There was an awkward silence when the three of them just stared at each other wondering what to say or do next. Clara finally decided to make a move, which was to the living room. If this was going to turn into a long conversation she wanted everyone to be at least slightly more comfortable and relaxed.

"Right. Come to the living room and make yourselves comfortable." Clara said walking out to the door to where the living room was located.

The Doctor and Lauren followed dutifully; the Doctor was familiar with Clara's flat and the layout while Lauren had never set foot in her flat before so was both nervous and excited to see her flat in real life. How much did it compare to what was seen in the show?

Lauren took a quick glance down the central hallway taking note of the frames on the wall, umbrella stand by the front door, it was the same as the brief glances she's seen on TV, before she took another step into the living room. It was nice and cosy, a mix of colours, dark red looking carpet that also ran through the hallway, and a patterned rug. It was smaller than Lauren expected, landing the TARDIS in here (which the Doctor has done many times) takes up most of the entire room never mind the bedroom. So even landing in the living room the Doctor needed pin point accurate skill. But it was a very nice living space. A small green sofa with many cushions against the wall as she walked through the door to her left, on her right was a stuffed armchair and bookshelves. In front of her was the window/door to the balcony. It looked exactly like it did in the show, remembering it from the episodes The Caretaker, Listen, and Time Heist.

Clara gestured for them to sit on the sofa. The Doctor sat at one end, Lauren at the other while Clara tidied stuff off the small table in front of them before straightening and looking between the two. The Doctor looked uncomfortable and fidgeting while Lauren looked curiously around the room taking everything in. Clara had to remind herself the girl has never been in her flat before this point.

"How long has it been for you two?" Clara asked.

"A week, two at most," the Doctor replied. "You?"

"Two months."

The Doctor blew out a breath debating if that was a good thing or not. It could have been worse but Clara had at least gotten some space to think.

"You couldn't even last two weeks?" Clara asked slightly outraged. She's not seen him for two months after telling him to go away and not come back and he pops back after barely one week from his point of view. Clara shook her head before deciding to let that fact drop, it was for the best, and it wasn't going to be the most important part of their conversation.

She had made a decision. After debating for two months thinking she was never going to see him again it was finally time to settle into boring old normal life. It was time to stop. No more adventures, planets, the most she'll have to worry about is grading papers, students, planning normal dull activities. However as she thought of all this and how she honestly couldn't keep running with the Doctor, living a double life, Clara felt a pain in her chest. An ache at the thought of stopping, not seeing the Doctor or indeed Lauren as often as she would like. This was going to be a heavy topic.

So Clara decided to start the conversation with some small talk. "So how many adventures did you go on? Any fun stories?"

"None." The Doctor said bluntly.

"None?!" Clara looked between the two shocked. The Doctor shook his head casting a glance to Lauren.

"I wasn't just feeling unwell, I got very sick that's why I look so worn out," Lauren explained.

"How sick? Nothing too serious I hope?" Clara was now concerned. In the two months for her she imagined the types of adventures they were having or trouble the Doctor got them in. How was Lauren adjusting to travelling with the Doctor? What was she missing? Those type of questions. She wasn't expecting this.

"Quite serious I'm afraid," the Doctor mumbled, drumming his fingers on the armrest. "The bite from her run in with the spider got infected. Some vomiting, fainting, concerning high fever –" the Doctor abruptly cut himself short as Lauren sent a death glare at him. Telling him to 'shut up you're not helping matters', as the Doctor looked to see Clara even more concerned and alarmed than before. He was smart enough to realize this and stop.

The Doctor cleared his throat, "All better now nothing to worry about," he tried to smile reassuringly.

There was another silence, not an awkward one but one which held the waiting tension of the imminent conversation they really wanted to talk about.

"Why are you here?" Clara finally asked him.

"To, ah, say sorry. For what I done. I think you deserve an explanation."

Clara nodded slowly. "I'm all ears," she said looking down at him steadily.

Clara saw out of the corner of her eye Lauren rise her hand in the air like one of her many timid students in class. "Lauren you don't have to raise your hand if you need to ask me a question we're not in school anymore," Clara laughed lightly.

"Sorry, habit. Felt I should, given the situation and my question."

"What's the question?"

"First question actually, um, I don't need to apologies for anything do I?" Lauren needed to be sure.

Clara looked confused, "Er, no not for anything I'm aware of…" She wondered where this was going.

Lauren continued. "Then can I leave you guys to it? I mean apologies and important stuff? I don't want to be in the way and I feel it would be better if I leave the room for a bit." Lauren explained.

Give these two some privacy she didn't want to be rude and she would just feel awkward in these situations. That and it was an excuse to explore Clara's flat.

Clara considered her suggestion fully aware of Lauren's desire to most likely wander her flat and discover new things about her. It was obvious from the way the girl has looked at everything since she first arrived. But then Clara realized she wasn't too bothered by the thought of Lauren wandering and exploring her flat, god knows how many times the Doctor has, usually resulting in him messing with her neatly ordered stuff or more serious incidents where he blew up the kettle and nearly set the kitchen on fire.

Lauren wasn't the Doctor and Clara trusted her not to blow up her new (and far more advanced) kettle the Doctor had to buy her, or anything else really.

Anyway Lauren was right, this was mainly between her and the Doctor.

"OK, just don't break anything," Clara looked pointedly at the Doctor who pretended not to notice.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lauren had really wanted to explore and look around her flat the moment she arrived. What interesting things would she find? How much more would she find out about Clara as a person more than just seeing her as a character? Same with the Doctor in his TARDIS. Lauren has slowly begun adjusting to them as real people rather than characters though she always thought of and felt for the character back in her own world.

Observing and being in the TARDIS (even for the short time she's been here) meant she saw more of the Doctor's habits and personality. For example the Doctor liked to take tubs of ice creams from the kitchen to the console room and eats from the tub with a spoon in between repair work or doing calculations on his board. The first time Lauren noticed his ice cream love she made the joke of him looking like a teenage girl who had a bad break up with the ice cream tub as food comfort. That and how he was always skinny.

Lauren wondered what little habits and trinkets Clara had unseen by any Doctor Who fan.

As Lauren got up to leave she saw the Doctor stare at her with a face that said 'don't leave me here by myself' Lauren just smiled and mouthed good luck and closed the door half way. She watched Clara sit down beside the Doctor. The Doctor needs to learn by himself she thought. He should understand what he's done to Clara.

"Why did you do it?" Lauren heard Clara say as she decided she wanted to find the kitchen first.

"I told you, the moon isn't – "

"Doctor."

There was a sigh, "I would never have left you, the two of you to die – "

The rest of his sentence was muffled the further Lauren walked away. She wanted to see what food Clara had, she was hungry. The flat wasn't particularly big or complex, kitchens were always near the living room and from what she saw on TV there was no dining room. Or at least she doesn't remember seeing one. No wait, what room did Clara and her family have dinner in before the Doctor regenerated? There was a table and all.

Clara's flat always seemed inconsistent if she was being honest.

The kitchen was the door up from the living room. Opening it revealed a small and perfectly square shaped space. It was very small indeed, but compacted with everything Clara needed. The cupboards were a very nice light blue. Maybe Clara brought in a table she had to the living room for Christmas dinner?

Lauren raided through the fridge wanting easy snacks rather than having to making anything. Eventually she decided on just having yogurts and apples. She nosed around the rest of the kitchen, the kettle had various buttons on it that Lauren had never seen before, and she idly wondered where Clara got it. The bathroom was opposite the kitchen, Lauren inspected herself in the mirror. She pulled several funny faces, ruffled her flowing hair, and god she did actually look wrecked. Pale and tired eyes, she didn't get that much sleep last night, though that was her own fault staying up and watching TV in her room. Getting a lack of sleep after recovering from sickness wasn't the best thing to do. Those alien shows and chat shows were weird and bizarre.

She unzipped her black hoodie to let in more cool air around her as she began inspecting the items around the sink. Face wash cream, two toothbrushes – was one of them Danny's or did she just have a spare? Some girly products neatly placed. Clara liked the flat clean and orderly, but wasn't as obsessed over it as others Lauren countered before, some things did lay scattered. When she felt she seen enough of the bathroom and hallway frames and pictures she went back to Clara's bedroom.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You're my friend, my best friend Doctor but I've had two months to think and decide. I can't keep doing this." Clara whispered.

The Doctor wasn't facing her, she could tell from his rigid posture as he stared out the window he was trying to hide his emotions. Hide from her. The hurt she no doubt caused him by expressing her desire to stop travelling. He'd tried to convince her otherwise, that she could always trust him but the fight had gone quickly. This divide between them seemed to just keep getting wider.

And that wasn't meant to happen. She was determined they remain friends, to end on good terms. Clara accepted his apology, got his point of view, she told him hers, he wasn't good at emotions and he needed to know exactly how she felt. They formed an understanding. She could never stay mad at him, they've been through a lot together and the fact he came back showed he did care of their friendship.

Clara said sorry too. Sorry for threatening to hit him so hard he'd regenerate.

Clara knew the Doctor was upset, maybe even angry because he's trying. Trying to make it right, fix things. The Doctor is good at coming up with solutions to conflict, stopped power hungry mad dictators with words, he's made many things right. He can fix the TARDIS but not this.

Clara imagines this is why there is a hint of anger in the way he clenches his fists by his side, still not turning to face her after she told him her choice. He can fix many things, but not one person. Not human emotions. Not her. He can't think of a clever thing to change her mind, stop her from feeling the way she does. She can't trust him in the same way she thinks to herself. She is not a machine, he can't repair her like the TARDIS and dictators were easy. They are easy to understand, it's obvious what they want and desire so there are many strategies to stop them Clara thinks and sighs to herself. It must be frustrating for him.

But maybe this is how it ends, should end even if it will hurt.

Clara moved to stand beside him staring out the window, it really was a lovely day. She glanced at him taking in his frown, tense jaw, he looks deflated now.

"I understand," he breathes into the silence that surrounds them. "You have a normal human life to live, no more old man and his box."

"Don't say it like that. We're still friends. I am friends with Lauren too. I want to keep up to date on how she gets on with adventures," Clara bumped her shoulder playfully against his arm trying to get him to understand this wasn't the end of them just the end of them travelling together. Clara didn't want him out of her life completely.

She continued. "You came back and I appreciate that and I' am very glad. I just want to end us on good terms. I don't want the last memory of you and Lauren to be a bad one." She explains.

There is silence once again as the Doctor takes in her words. Mind buzzing and suddenly there's an idea in his head. Clara notices the spark in his eyes.

"Then let's make a good one," the Doctor said turning his head to her. "What do you say, one last trip in the TARDIS?" he asked hopefully.

Clara looked surprised at his suggestion for a moment then smiled. "Like a last hurrah?" she asked.

"A last hurrah," he agreed.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Clara said smiling brightly. "Surprise me, but nothing dangerous though OK? No life or death. Not this time."

The Doctor nodded. Clara felt a weight lift over her shoulders. She was happier.

"OK well, while you plan that I'm going to see where Lauren ended up," Still smiling she left the room in search of Lauren.

Clara found Lauren in her bedroom standing over her drawer looking at something. "Having a good nose around?"

Lauren jumped slightly having not heard her come in. She looked to be holding a picture frame. "Everything good now?" Lauren asked.

"It's good." She replied looking down at her hands before adding, "But I won't be travelling anymore."

"Oh," the younger girl said.

"I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore," Clara said.

"Any chance I could convince you otherwise?" Lauren pleaded.

Clara smiled sadly, "Nah. I've had time to think when I wasn't angry and I've made my choice. I have to stop sometime."

Lauren said nothing. Clara came up and hugged her. "One more trip in the TARDIS. A last hurrah of sorts," she whispered.

"What you find anyway?" Clara asked curiously pulling back, eyes going wide as she saw the photo of herself and a man.

Lauren was holding a picture frame of Clara and the Eleventh Doctor. Clara had taken the photo judging by her extended arm to the camera. The Doctor had his arm around Clara's shoulder, the pair smiled broadly at the camera. Beaming happily as they stood with mountains, rolling hills covered in flowers and the sun shining in the background. They looked like they didn't have a care in the world.

Clara had to admit her and the younger bow tie wearing Doctor in his purple outfit looked like a couple in this photo. They were always mistaken as boyfriend and girlfriend back then. Chin boy was a very touchy feely person compared to Mr Eyebrows in the other room. Hell they even flirted with each other, nothing serious, just for fun. But sometimes Clara did wear her heart on her sleeve back then.

"Who is he and where was this taken?" Lauren asked her.

"A planet halfway across the universe. He took me back to when it was unpopulated and we explored the scenery." Clara smiled at the memory. "That man is the Doctor." She stated.

Lauren pretended to look shocked so Clara didn't suspect her secret. "What? That isn't the Doctor."

Clara giggled believing Lauren's surprise. "Believe it or not it is."

"How?"

"The Doctor has an ability. Being a Time Lord he has a much, much longer life span than us because he can regenerate," Clara regarded the photo as she explained. "Regeneration as it's called is like cheating death. If the Doctor gets fatally wounded or his body reaches old age he can regenerate his entire body to heal. Changing his physical appearance and even personality."

Clara took the picture frame from Lauren and set it back on the drawer at the back. "But he's still the Doctor, same memories, same man just a different face. Sometimes you just have to keep reminding yourself. He's very different to who was before."

"That's amazing," Lauren breathed. She doesn't have to pretend not to know about his different faces now thanks to Clara explaining. Lauren felt relief. One less thing to worry about letting slip.

Lauren tapped the image of the Doctor with her index finger regarding his eleventh form. "In the future do I met him? That Doctor?"

"Yes." Clara answered honesty.

"But he doesn't remember me…" Lauren sounded sad. Clara looked sympathetic.

"Like I said before when you gave me the letter in your school bag. It was a long time ago from his perspective."

"How long we talking?" Lauren asked curiously eyeing Clara.

"Well before he regenerated into Mr Eyebrows out there he stayed on a planet to protect the people from constantly being invaded for I think 900 years."

Lauren blew out a breath. Of course, 900 years on Trenzalore. Hell it takes him a while longer to even remember where he got his current face – the Roman man in Pompeii his Tenth self saved on Donna's request.

That is a long time but still it hurts Lauren a little that he doesn't remember her.

"Will he ever remember that a future me met him then?" Lauren asked softly.

Clara looked thoughtful noticing the hurt look on the other girl's face. She must feel irrelevant or insignificant at the fact he doesn't remember her, she thought.

"Yes, he will remember," Clara rubbed the girl's shoulder reassuringly. Lauren didn't notice Clara frown. Clara knows the Doctor will remember meeting Lauren in the wrong order thanks to Lauren's future self's letter, she just doesn't know when he will.

In the letter Lauren clarified the Doctor wouldn't immediately remember her and told Clara not to say a word to the Doctor about it because "things have to play out the way they do," she wrote. Time travel can really give you a headache Clara thought.

The Doctor cleared his throat as he came to a stop at the bedroom door. Clara and Lauren turned to him.

"One last trip," he repeated. The Doctor looked at Clara. "Shall I pick you up next Wednesday?"

One last Wednesday Clara thought sadly. "Sure."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Doctor and Lauren left in the TARDIS.

"Told you she missed you," Lauren said after a while of watching the Doctor pilot the ship and study the monitor intently. "I know it wasn't the outcome you wanted but be happy you get one last chance," Lauren said trying to cheer him up. Just wait till Clara changes her mind.

"Have you got a place in mind to take Clara?" Lauren asked trying to make conversation.

The Doctor glanced between the monitor and Lauren. "Thinking," he replied.

The Doctor was indeed thinking of where to take Clara for one last trip. It had to be good, special, somewhere Clara would love. Clara liked visiting the past and dressing up. But at the same time she liked seeing planets. Should he take her to the past or somewhere in space?

Somewhere not dangerous. No monsters but where was the fun in that? As he looked through the data bank on various potential places to go, past, future, he came across spa and holiday planets, tour ships and trains because Clara stressed no danger or running for their lives.

There were space trains that recreated time periods from Earth's history. Oh that might interest her. He then remembered what Lauren said in her fevered state.

The Orient Express, he thought. Clara would love to see that.

Even better, she'd love the Orient Express in space. He was always meant to go there himself but never got the time. And now Lauren's put the idea in his head again. It's the perfect mix of feeling in the past, dressing up and being in the original 19th century Orient Express while seeing the wonders of space.

And rumour has it of a Mummy loose on the train that nobody can stop…

Interesting. He could give Clara the perfect send off and maybe investigate a killer Mummy. Clara did say no monsters but this was too tempting now. And personally, the Doctor wanted to find out how Lauren could possibly know of it in the first place, if it turns out to be true.

"I was thinking," the Doctor finally spoke. Lauren looked up expectedly. "How would the only Orient Express train in space sound?" He drew the words out, making eye contact, carefully observing her reaction.

Lauren seemed excited. "Oh, I like the sound of it. Clara would love that!" The girl beamed at him.

"I've never been on the Orient Express or any of those types of trains since I grew up in Ireland, but I've always wanted to go on the Orient Express," Lauren chatted happily unfazed by his intense gaze studying her.

Hmmm. If she had a wish to see the Orient Express or something similar maybe that's why she said it when she was sick, a subconscious desire rising to the surface. Maybe. The Doctor tried to reason, however it still doesn't explain the space or mummy part of her ramblings. Lauren could turn out to be more of a mystery than he originally thought. There was something in the back of his mind, like he's seen her before but he can't remember where from. He'll find out soon enough though, he always does.

"So that's settled then." The Doctor said pulling the lever nodding to Lauren to pull the other lever closet to her. "The last hurrah."